General Information: Country: Djibouti; Isolation: Continental solfataric spring; Africa; Temp: Hyperthermophile; Temp: 80C. This organism, a member of the Thermotogales, has the characteristic morphology of one or more cells contained in a sheath-like envelope which extends beyond the cell wall. Preliminary sequencing of Thermotogales genomes has identified extensive horizontal gene transfer between these organisms and the Archaea. Thermotoga thermarum does not grow at high salt concentrations (>0.6% NaCL). This organism also produces heat stable enzymes such as endoxylanase, beta xylosidase and alpha arabinofuranosidase which may have commercial uses.